Chapter 43- Fallen and Found

Borrowed Magic, Borrowed Time

Kate’s POV

I stood in the crystal cavern, surrounded by the Iele, feeling like a bull in the world’s most ethereal china shop. These beings, with their otherworldly grace and weird obsession with flower crowns, seemed woefully out of touch with the urgency of my situation. The air around us shimmered with an otherworldly energy, making my skin tingle and my hair stand on end. I could almost taste the magic in the air, a heady mixture of sweetness and electricity that made my head spin.

“Look,” I said, trying to keep the edge out of my voice, “I appreciate the whole ‘zen and limitless time’ vibe you’ve got going on here, but I need to learn this spirit communication thing. Preferably before my friends—” I paused, the words sticking in my throat. What were Liam and Cyrus to me, exactly? Friends? Lovers? Idiots who got themselves into mortal peril? Yeah, let’s go with that last one. “—before those two end up dead or worse.”

The Iele leader, all knowing looks and cryptic smiles, raised an eyebrow. Her eyes, deep pools of ancient wisdom, seemed to see right through me. It was unnerving, to say the least. “Perhaps you join us weave flower crowns, young one?”

I bit back a sarcastic retort. Antagonizing the only beings who could help me probably wasn’t the smartest move. The temptation to roll my eyes was almost overwhelming, but I managed to resist. Barely. “Thanks, but I’ll pass. I’m more in a ‘save the people I care about from being killed in a magical trial’ mood right now.”

With a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of centuries, she finally deigned to give me a straight answer. The sound was like wind through ancient trees, filled with secrets and hidden meanings. “Good. What you want know about your powers?”

I took a deep breath, organizing my thoughts. The scent of flowers and something older, more primal, filled my nostrils. “Okay, so healing, barriers, and force – those I’ve got a handle on. But this spirit communication thing? Totally blindsided me. I didn’t even know it was possible until today.”

The Iele exchanged glances, doing that creepy silent communication thing again that was really grating on my nerves. Their eyes flickered with an inner light, conveying messages I couldn’t begin to comprehend. Finally, the leader spoke. “You see Fae and your friend?”

“Yeah,” I admitted, feeling heat creep up my neck. “Liam and… Cyrus.” Saying his name sent an unexpected jolt through me, like a spark of electricity dancing along my skin. “But I couldn’t interact with them, couldn’t heal them. It was like I was there, but not there. Like some kind of metaphysical voyeur.”

I described the bizarre sensation of feeling my consciousness split, of watching—and feeling—a copy of myself interact with them. The memory made me shiver, a strange mix of excitement and dread coursing through me. “And then it turned into a monster. Because apparently, this whole situation wasn’t weird enough already.”

The Iele listened intently, their expressions a mix of fascination and concern. “It seem,” the leader said slowly, each word carefully chosen, “your… attempt at astral projection mix with strong magic of trials.”

“Fantastic,” I muttered. “Because regular magic wasn’t complicated enough. We had to throw in some quantum entanglement for good measure.”

She continued, unperturbed by my commentary. “Trial magic know your essence and pull you in part, leave you as observer. Your strong… emotional ties to Liam and friend act as… tether, make you more there.”

I opened my mouth to protest the ‘strong emotional ties’ bit, but thought better of it. No use denying the obvious, especially to beings who could probably read me like an open book. The knowing look in the Iele’s eyes made me squirm internally.

The Iele leader went on to explain how the trial had created a magical ‘echo’ of me based on Liam and Cyrus’s memories and desires, which my consciousness had inadvertently merged with. The monster – a Gorgon, apparently – was a manifestation of their fears and desires twisted into a dangerous entity.

“So I basically supercharged their nightmare fuel,” I summarized, running a hand through my hair. It felt charged, as if static electricity was building up around me.  “Wonderful.”

“With practice,” the leader said, ignoring my sarcasm, her voice taking on an encouraging tone, “you should use powers while in… astral form.”

“Great,” I said, clapping my hands together. The sound echoed strangely in the cavern, reverberating with a magical undertone. “Let’s get to it then. Do I need to be at the trees to connect, or can I do it from anywhere?”

The Iele with river-like eyes who had guided me to and from the magical grove approached, holding out a leaf. It glowed faintly in her palm, pulsing with a gentle rhythm. “This from your tree. It make connection easier, but not strong like at grove.”

I took the leaf, feeling a faint hum of energy emanating from it. The sensation was like holding a tiny, living battery. “Thanks,” I said, tucking it into my pocket. It felt warm against my skin, even through the fabric. “Now, about this vortex magic. Liam mentioned you need a connection to a place to use it, like having been there before. Is that a physical requirement, or could it work with astral projection too? And is there any way I could open or use that vortex somehow?”

The Iele leader considered this for a moment, her brow furrowing in concentration. The air around her seemed to ripple, as if her thoughts were affecting reality itself. “If you can think place with much detail, you should use vortex there too. Not need body there, but… tie must be strong.”

“And the trial,” I pressed, leaning forward eagerly, “is it actually in the human realm? Because I’m kind of persona non grata there at the moment.”

“While door in human world,” she confirmed, her voice taking on a mysterious tone, “magic thing likely in other… magic world.”

I nodded, steeling myself. The enormity of what I was about to attempt settled over me like a heavy cloak. “Alright. Let’s give this another shot.”

I closed my eyes, focusing on the memory of Liam and Cyrus in that strange, crystal-filled chamber. At first, nothing happened. Frustration built in my chest, threatening to overwhelm me. Come on, I thought, gritting my teeth. They need you. Focus!

And then, suddenly, I was there. The transition was so abrupt it left me reeling, my non-corporeal form spinning in a kaleidoscope of colors before solidifying in the chamber. But something was off. The room was empty, devoid of the two men I was searching for. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the faint hum of residual magic.

Panic gripped me as I mentally reached out, trying to sense their presence. I could feel traces of them, like fading footprints in sand. I followed these ethereal trails, moving through solid walls as if they were mist, until I found myself in a new chamber.

What I saw made my blood run cold.

Liam and Cyrus stood before a large, ornate mirror, their faces etched with pain and regret. I could hear snippets of their conversation, talk of past mistakes and unforgivable actions. The weight of their words hung heavy in the air, almost tangible in its intensity.

And then, before I could even process what was happening, Liam reached for Cyrus’s dagger. Its blade gleamed with an unnatural light, promising pain and sacrifice. As his fingers closed around the hilt, he let out a hiss of pain, the iron burning his Fae flesh. But he didn’t let go. His face set in grim determination, he raised the blade to his eye.

“No!” I tried to scream, but no sound came out in this strange, in-between place. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare, unable to move or speak as horror unfolded before me. I watched in horror as Liam plunged the dagger into his own eye.

A blood-curdling scream tore from Liam’s throat, the sound so agonized it seemed to vibrate through my very being. Blood poured from the wound, Liam’s face contorting in agony. Cyrus, his own expression a mix of shock and revulsion, rushed forward to try and staunch the bleeding.

The scene before me was so gruesome, so unexpected, that for a moment I couldn’t move, couldn’t think. I could only watch as Cyrus frantically tried to help Liam, his hands slick with blood. The air was thick with the coppery scent of blood and the acrid smell of burning flesh.

“Stay with me, Liam,” Cyrus urged, his voice cracking. The desperation in his tone was palpable, a strong contrast to his usual composed demeanor. “Don’t you dare pass out on me now.”

The shock of what I’d witnessed slammed into me like a physical force, catapulting me back into my own body. I gasped, my lungs burning as if I’d been holding my breath underwater. The crystal cavern of the Iele realm swam into focus, the concerned faces of the Iele hovering over me.

“What you see?” the leader asked urgently, her calm facade cracking for the first time. Her eyes were wide with concern, the ancient wisdom in them clouded by worry.

I opened my mouth to respond, but instead of words, a choked sob escaped. My body shook with the force of my emotions, tears streaming down my face. “Liam,” I managed to gasp out, my voice raw and broken. “He… his eye… There was so much blood…”

The Iele exchanged alarmed glances, their earlier serenity replaced by genuine concern. The air around us seemed to darken, reflecting the gravity of the situation. “You must tell everything,” the leader pressed, her voice gentle but insistent.

So I did. I described the scene in halting, horrified detail. The mirror, the dagger, the gruesome self-mutilation. With each word, the reality of the situation seemed to solidify, becoming more real and more terrifying. The Iele listened in rapt attention, their faces growing more grave with each passing moment.

“We have to help them!” I pleaded, my voice cracking. The desperation in my tone surprised even me. “Liam could bleed out, and Cyrus… god knows what he is about to do… We have to do something!”

The Iele leader shook her head, her expression grave. “Must not interfere with trials—”

“To hell with the trials!” I shouted, my patience finally snapping. My voice echoed off the crystal walls, filled with a power I didn’t know I possessed. “I don’t care about those fucking trials. This is about saving their lives!”

An idea struck me then, born of desperation and a growing understanding of how this world worked. “I swear,” I said, my voice low and intense, power thrumming through every word, “that if you don’t help me right now, I will make it my eternal mission to be the most annoying being in all the realms. And trust me, I’ve got a real talent for it.”

The Iele’s eyes widened, recognizing the formal promise for what it was. I’d backed them into a corner, and we both knew it. The air crackled with tension, magic responding to the weight of my words.

“Good,” the leader said, a hint of respect and amusement in her voice. Her lips curved into a small smile. “We teach you make vortex. But be careful, young one. Path you walk is full of… danger.”

What followed was possibly the most frustrating hour of my life—and considering the week I’d had, that was saying something. No matter how hard I concentrated, how clearly I visualized the destination, the vortex refused to form. Sweat beaded on my brow, my muscles trembling with the effort of channeling magic I barely understood.

“It’s not working,” I growled, frustration mounting. The air around me shimmered with unreleased energy, responding to my agitation. “Why isn’t it working?”

The Iele leader studied me, her head tilted to one side. Her gaze seemed to pierce through me, seeing something I couldn’t. “You still too human,” she said finally, her voice tinged with both disappointment and curiosity. “Iele magic in you not strong enough yet.”

I was about to unleash a tirade that would make a sailor blush when her expression changed, a spark of inspiration lighting her eyes. The shift was subtle but unmistakable, like the first ray of sunlight breaking through storm clouds. “Maybe,” she mused, her voice taking on a thoughtful tone, “we mix your saint magic with Iele magic you take in.”

Before I could ask what she meant, she stepped forward, a small knife appearing in her hand. With a quick motion, she sliced her palm, then held it out to me. “You must drink,” she explained, her voice urgent. “My blood give you more our power. But hurry. This help not last long.”

I stared at her outstretched hand, my stomach churning at the thought. When Liam had licked my blood from my finger, it had seemed almost sexy in a dark, forbidden way. But this? The idea of gulping down someone else’s warm blood made my gorge rise. The metallic scent filled my nostrils, making me dizzy.

But I didn’t have a choice. Steeling myself, I took her hand and brought it to my lips. The first taste nearly made me gag – it was coppery and thick and utterly revolting. But I forced myself to swallow, fighting against every instinct that screamed at me to spit it out.

As soon as I’d managed to choke down a mouthful, a surge of energy coursed through me, wild and intoxicating. It felt like I’d just mainlined pure magic. It was as if every cell in my body was suddenly awake, vibrating with an energy I’d never experienced before. Colors seemed brighter, sounds sharper. The world had taken on a new dimension, one of pure energy and possibility.

“Whoa,” I breathed, swaying slightly on my feet. The room seemed to spin around me, reality bending in ways I couldn’t quite comprehend. “Is this how you guys feel all the time?”

The Iele leader’s lips quirked in a small smile, a knowing look in her eyes. “This but taste of our power. Now, focus. Time short.”

Right. Focus. I closed my eyes, picturing the chamber where I’d last seen Liam and Cyrus with every ounce of concentration I could muster. I thought of Liam’s blood on the floor, of the two of them in desperate need of help. I thought of how much I needed to be there, to help them, to save them. The image in my mind was crystal clear, every detail sharp and vivid.

At first, nothing happened. Frustration bubbled up inside me, threatening to break my concentration. The newfound power surged within me, eager to be used but still beyond my control. Come on, I thought, gritting my teeth. You can do this. They need you.

And then, I felt it. A tugging sensation, as if something was trying to pull me inside out. The air around me began to shimmer and twist, reality bending in ways that made my head spin. With a sound like reality itself tearing at the seams, the vortex opened.

I stared at the swirling portal, a mix of awe and terror washing over me. It was a whirlpool of colors and energies, pulsing with raw power. This was it. No turning back now.

“Remember,” the Iele leader said, her voice urgent. Her eyes bore into mine, conveying the gravity of the situation. “Power temporary. You must return before it fade, or risk being trapped.”

I nodded, swallowing hard. The weight of her words settled in my stomach like lead. “How long do I have?”

“Hard to say. Minutes, maybe hours in human time. In trial realm…” She shrugged, leaving the sentence unfinished. The uncertainty in her voice was far from reassuring.

Great. A ticking clock to add to the pressure. Because this wasn’t stressful enough already. I could feel the borrowed power humming through my veins, a constant reminder of its fleeting nature.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped towards the vortex. The energy emanating from it made my skin tingle, like static electricity but a thousand times more intense. And with that, I stepped through the vortex.

The sensation was indescribable. It felt like I was being pulled apart and put back together at the same time, my very atoms scattered and reassembled in the blink of an eye. Colors and sounds whirled around me in a dizzying kaleidoscope, and for a moment, I feared I’d made a terrible mistake. The journey seemed to last both an eternity and no time at all.

Then, as suddenly as it began, it was over. I stumbled through, disoriented by the sudden shift. My legs felt like jelly, and my head spun as if I’d just stepped off the world’s most intense roller coaster. The smell hit me first—copper and salt and fear, all mixed together in a nauseating cocktail. It was so strong I could almost taste it, metallic and bitter on my tongue.

My eyes fell on the ground, where a pool of blood surrounded something small and round. With a jolt of horror, I realized it was Liam’s eye. It stared up at me, unseeing, a grotesque reminder of the price paid for this trial.

“Oh god,” I choked out, fighting back the urge to vomit. The sight was even more horrifying in person than it had been in my vision. “Oh god, oh god, oh god.”

But Liam wasn’t here. Where was he? Where was Cyrus? Panic clawed at my throat as I spun around, trying to make sense of my surroundings. The room was eerily silent, the only sound my own ragged breathing. And then I saw it—another doorway, leading to a chamber that was slowly filling with water.

Without hesitation, I splashed through, my heart pounding in my chest. The water was ice-cold, sending shocks through my system with every step. And there he was—Cyrus, alone and soaked to the knees, with an expression of utter despair on his face. But that wasn’t what made my blood run cold. No, it was the knife he held to his own throat, the blade already drawing a thin line of blood.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I shouted, my voice echoing off the chamber walls. The words tore from my throat, raw with fear and anger.